Two Cantabrian dairy farmers have a longstanding disagreement over a debt one owes to the other. Juan Diego plays Gildo, who owes Severo (Celso Bugallo) and tries to pay him off with a calf from his beautiful milk cow Vanessa, which is brought over to his farm by his older daughter Val (Marta Etura). However, in the current economic situation, calves aren't worth what they used to be, so Severo kidnaps Val for ransom, tying up her hands and locking her in his barn after he drags her through the mud. This must be the old fashioned way to settle debts. Gildo has to rescue Val from Severo, and Severo gets killed, bringing in the police. He tells Val to dress up and sends her and her younger sister Genia (spicy Clara Lago) off to a dance in town where he knows that Rai (Luis Tosar), Severo's son who is a hairdresser and has long since left the rural way of life, will be, hoping that Val will seduce him and thus remove any suspicion the police might have about who killed Severo. It's a clever story to follow, though I found the ending to be frustrating, as everyone in the town who was at Severo's funeral knew that he had it coming, and so does the viewer. Nonetheless, Gildo's story and character make this more than worthwhile to see, as well as the great settings.
8 Reviews
Spanish Rural Drama...
rainking_es24 August 2004
Valle del Pas, Cantabria (Northern Spain). Present day. Tough times for the cattle farmers, they're being forced to limit their milk production in order to satisfy the European Union regulations. Gildo (Juan Diego) is one of those cattle farmers, he lives in some little village from the Valle del Pas with his to daughters. An old-fashioned widow-man who works from dawn to dusk in order to keep his little business alive. Her daughters, they don't want to live that way anymore, especially the youngest one (she likes to go to the disco, to be trendy...). And so goes their lives, till a Gildo's colleague is murdered (By Gildo himself, or so it would seem) and the son of that man (Luis Tosar) comes to the village to take care of his father's farm.
Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón has directed up to 20 movies, and for me is such an irregular filmmaker and writer. He's made some remarkable movies such as "Habla, Mudita", and he wrote the script (together with JL Borau) for that masterpiece called "Furtivos". But, though his works are usually very good filmed, so sober, and he's a good actor's director, there's always a lack of something in them. In "La Vida Que Te Espera" we find the rural enviroment (that he's portraited in many movies) perfectly prhotographied, Valle del Pas' landscapes are just espectacular. Juan Diego's performance is simply outstanding (he's one of the best spanish actors alive), and Tosar is just Ok in the kind of character he usually plays very skillfully (they could've had a better actress instead of Marta Eturra -typical young actress with nothing to say-). But the script... I think that Aragón fails to recreate the hardness that it should've required that kind of story, the roughness of it all (he achieves it in many sequences, but it's not enough: we're talking about people which lives isolated in the middle of a mountain, just like Heidi and his goddman grandpa). He also does not measure the rhythm that well: the passages of more intensity occurs a long time before the end of the movie: there's sort of a fake-ending, and the last 20 minutes are a little weary, explaining things that we all know by that moment.
Anyway, Juan Diego's performance justifies the viewing. In he'd born in Texas or in California he'd be one of the most well-known actors in the world.
My Rate: 6.5/10
Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón has directed up to 20 movies, and for me is such an irregular filmmaker and writer. He's made some remarkable movies such as "Habla, Mudita", and he wrote the script (together with JL Borau) for that masterpiece called "Furtivos". But, though his works are usually very good filmed, so sober, and he's a good actor's director, there's always a lack of something in them. In "La Vida Que Te Espera" we find the rural enviroment (that he's portraited in many movies) perfectly prhotographied, Valle del Pas' landscapes are just espectacular. Juan Diego's performance is simply outstanding (he's one of the best spanish actors alive), and Tosar is just Ok in the kind of character he usually plays very skillfully (they could've had a better actress instead of Marta Eturra -typical young actress with nothing to say-). But the script... I think that Aragón fails to recreate the hardness that it should've required that kind of story, the roughness of it all (he achieves it in many sequences, but it's not enough: we're talking about people which lives isolated in the middle of a mountain, just like Heidi and his goddman grandpa). He also does not measure the rhythm that well: the passages of more intensity occurs a long time before the end of the movie: there's sort of a fake-ending, and the last 20 minutes are a little weary, explaining things that we all know by that moment.
Anyway, Juan Diego's performance justifies the viewing. In he'd born in Texas or in California he'd be one of the most well-known actors in the world.
My Rate: 6.5/10
A crime in the mountains
jotix10024 December 2004
Director Manuel Gutierrez Aragon presents a rural drama that takes place in the mountains of Cantabria, in Northern Spain. This film, part of the annual presentation of Spanish cinema, is a picture with a lot of ambition. Were it not for this festival, Spanish films, such as this one, would not have been seen in this city because this type of cinema is not commercial and there is no market for it.
On the one hand, the movie shows the hard life these peasants lead in a remote and desolate region. Also, the director wants to make a statement about how progress in the country, being now part of the European Community, penalizes the small farmers that have eked a life from their cows and agriculture for ages.
If you haven't seen the film, please stop reading now.
The new developments in the country wreak havoc for Gildo, and his neighbor Severo. Both men are the victims of a system that condemns them both for producing more milk than it's allowed by the ECU. They don't see eye to eye; there is resentment and bad blood between them. When Gildo sends a young calf to his neighbor, Severo takes offense, taking his daughter Val prisoner, against her will, for nothing this young woman has done. There is confrontation between Severo, Val and Gildo, in which the first one dies.
This brings Rai, the estranged son of Severo back to the funeral and to put his father's things in order before returning to the small town, where he works as a hair dresser. Rai falls for Val, but the fact remains that this son, as well as the rest of the town, feels that Celso killed Severo. Rai falls hard for Val. Their romance goes against Gildo's wishes who feels the young man will see who the real culprit is.
The movie is more approachable than some of the other movies of this director, who can please an audience, as well as repulse the viewer.
Juan Diego is Gildo, who is totally convincing as Gildo. The young actress Marta Etura, is Val, the daughter who must work with the father to make a go of their meager existence. Ms. Etura bears an uncanny resemblance to Holly Hunter. Luis Tosar is Rai, who gives a controlled performance.
The views of the hills of Cantabria is breathtaking. The green mountains come alive in this movie. Mr. Gutierrez Aragon gives us a slice of life among these peasants whose lives have not changed for centuries.
On the one hand, the movie shows the hard life these peasants lead in a remote and desolate region. Also, the director wants to make a statement about how progress in the country, being now part of the European Community, penalizes the small farmers that have eked a life from their cows and agriculture for ages.
If you haven't seen the film, please stop reading now.
The new developments in the country wreak havoc for Gildo, and his neighbor Severo. Both men are the victims of a system that condemns them both for producing more milk than it's allowed by the ECU. They don't see eye to eye; there is resentment and bad blood between them. When Gildo sends a young calf to his neighbor, Severo takes offense, taking his daughter Val prisoner, against her will, for nothing this young woman has done. There is confrontation between Severo, Val and Gildo, in which the first one dies.
This brings Rai, the estranged son of Severo back to the funeral and to put his father's things in order before returning to the small town, where he works as a hair dresser. Rai falls for Val, but the fact remains that this son, as well as the rest of the town, feels that Celso killed Severo. Rai falls hard for Val. Their romance goes against Gildo's wishes who feels the young man will see who the real culprit is.
The movie is more approachable than some of the other movies of this director, who can please an audience, as well as repulse the viewer.
Juan Diego is Gildo, who is totally convincing as Gildo. The young actress Marta Etura, is Val, the daughter who must work with the father to make a go of their meager existence. Ms. Etura bears an uncanny resemblance to Holly Hunter. Luis Tosar is Rai, who gives a controlled performance.
The views of the hills of Cantabria is breathtaking. The green mountains come alive in this movie. Mr. Gutierrez Aragon gives us a slice of life among these peasants whose lives have not changed for centuries.
Intense drama rural with good cast and including gorgeous outdoors from Valley of Pas , Cantabria
ma-cortes29 March 2014
Rural tragedy set in wonderful landscapes and starred by a nowadays Spanish all-star-cast such as Luis Tosar , Marta Etura , Clara Lago , Juan Diego and being compellingly directed by Manuel Gutierrez Aragon . It is set in Valle De Pas , next to Torrelavega , Cantabria , North of Spain ; there farmers are being forced to limit their milk production in order to satisfy the E.U. (European Union) regulation . Long years of hatred and festering resentments among two families facing each other and terminating into a burst of violence . There takes place a struggle over the prize milk cow and it leaves a farmer dead and another fearful of detention . A countryman lives with his two daughters (Marta Etura , Clara Lago) along with their cows and farm animals . The farmer called Gildo (Juan Diego) and his daughter Val (Marta Etura) scheme to keep the cause of death quiet , but tensions arise when Val falls in love with the dead farmer's son, Rai (Luis Tosar) , a hairdresser in the city who has returned to Valley Pas to the funeral . At the end takes places a contest at Torrelavega livestock market and a final twist of unexpected consequences .
This interesting film deals with a tragedy of human emotions pushed over the edge . This is an intense rural drama crammed with social habits , intrigue , family relationship and a love story . Its style is pretty much sour , dry and realistic as well in the atmosphere as in the fresh dialog . This film describes the rural life , including a character studio of local people and an enjoyable love story among a young couple . Well played by known and notorious actors such as Luis Tosar as a hairdresser estranged from his father attempting to find out the truth , Marta Etura as the young countrywoman who follows faithfully orders her father ; both of whom were a happy couple in real life , though recently their lovely relationship has been broken . And Clara Lago as a teen of lurid imagination and special mention to veteran Juan Diego as a grumpy farmer who attempts to protect his daughter . Good production design by prestigious Felix Murcia and correctly reflecting the atmosphere by that time and location . Splendid photography with juicy atmosphere by Gonzalo Berridi . Being appropriately filmed on location , showing one colorful filming from Valle De Pas , Cantabria , North of Spain .
The motion picture perfectly produced by magnificent producer Gerardo Herrero was rightly directed by Manuel Gutierrez Aragon , a good Spanish movies director . Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón was born on January 2, 1942 in Torrelavega, Cantabria, where uses to set most of films , including Valley Pas . He is a writer and director, known for Habla, Mudita (1973), Camada Negra (1977) , Maravillas (1981) , Demonios en el Jardín (1982) , Feroz (1984) , Visionarios (2001) , Todos Estamos Invitados (2008) . He began working in cinema in 1973 when he filmed ¨Habla Mudita ¨ , this debut feature by acclaimed Spanish director deals with a strange relationship between a mature men and a mute villager and also set in rural country from Valley Pas. Manuel Gutierrez is a well recognized filmmaker both nationally and internationally, and in proof of it he won many prizes among which there are the following ones : David di Donatello Awards , Moscow International Film Festival , and San Sebastian International Festival award to ¨Demonios en Jardin¨ , Goya Awards 1987 to ¨La Mitad del Cielo¨ , Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain and Berlin Internation Festival 1996 to ¨Rey del Rio¨ , Biarritz International Festival awards and Goyas 2003 to ¨Caballero Don Quijote¨ , among others .
This interesting film deals with a tragedy of human emotions pushed over the edge . This is an intense rural drama crammed with social habits , intrigue , family relationship and a love story . Its style is pretty much sour , dry and realistic as well in the atmosphere as in the fresh dialog . This film describes the rural life , including a character studio of local people and an enjoyable love story among a young couple . Well played by known and notorious actors such as Luis Tosar as a hairdresser estranged from his father attempting to find out the truth , Marta Etura as the young countrywoman who follows faithfully orders her father ; both of whom were a happy couple in real life , though recently their lovely relationship has been broken . And Clara Lago as a teen of lurid imagination and special mention to veteran Juan Diego as a grumpy farmer who attempts to protect his daughter . Good production design by prestigious Felix Murcia and correctly reflecting the atmosphere by that time and location . Splendid photography with juicy atmosphere by Gonzalo Berridi . Being appropriately filmed on location , showing one colorful filming from Valle De Pas , Cantabria , North of Spain .
The motion picture perfectly produced by magnificent producer Gerardo Herrero was rightly directed by Manuel Gutierrez Aragon , a good Spanish movies director . Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón was born on January 2, 1942 in Torrelavega, Cantabria, where uses to set most of films , including Valley Pas . He is a writer and director, known for Habla, Mudita (1973), Camada Negra (1977) , Maravillas (1981) , Demonios en el Jardín (1982) , Feroz (1984) , Visionarios (2001) , Todos Estamos Invitados (2008) . He began working in cinema in 1973 when he filmed ¨Habla Mudita ¨ , this debut feature by acclaimed Spanish director deals with a strange relationship between a mature men and a mute villager and also set in rural country from Valley Pas. Manuel Gutierrez is a well recognized filmmaker both nationally and internationally, and in proof of it he won many prizes among which there are the following ones : David di Donatello Awards , Moscow International Film Festival , and San Sebastian International Festival award to ¨Demonios en Jardin¨ , Goya Awards 1987 to ¨La Mitad del Cielo¨ , Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain and Berlin Internation Festival 1996 to ¨Rey del Rio¨ , Biarritz International Festival awards and Goyas 2003 to ¨Caballero Don Quijote¨ , among others .
'What is unsaid is undone': A Country Story
gradyharp3 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón co-authored with Ángeles González Sinde and directed this little tale of life isolated in the Valle de Paz of the Northern Spanish province of Cantabria. The people who live here, herding cattle, farming, and selling milk, are set apart from the outside world - sort of a modern day throw back in time. Families ('pasiegos') carry the farm tradition through generations, unchanged until the present. The presence of the European Union has enforced laws about milk production that heightens animosities and competition between families resulting in the crux of this story.
Gildo (Juan Diego) is grumpy and demanding and has two daughters: Val (Marta Etura) who since her mother died has taken over the duties of keeping the house in order as well as doing all the chores to assist her father's dairy production, and Genia (Clara Lago) who as the younger one goes to school and spends her time dancing. Gildo's neighbor Severo (Celso Bugallo) works his cows alone: his only son Rai (Luis Tosar) has left the farm to become a hairdresser in the city. With the EU demands, Severo stands to lose his cows and when Gildo comes to claim his prize milking cow Vanessa, Severo threatens revenge, settling for a payment of the first calf of Vanessa. A year passes and Val takes the new promised calf to Severo, but Severo denies the calf's parentage and in anger ties Val and places her in his barn as prisoner. Gildo traces Val to the place of captivity only to be discovered by Severo while freeing his daughter and a struggle ensues resulting in the death of Severo.
Rai returns to the farm for his father's funeral and meets Val: an attraction is mutual. Gildo and Val disagree on telling the police the truth about the death of Severo and when Gildo's paranoia builds, he sends Val to pacify Rai, little knowing that Val is attracted to Rai. Val and Rai slowly fall in love, tension mounts with the EU and the police, and the truth about the death of Severo is revealed, forcing changes in the family of Gildo and in the relationship of Rai and Val. Gildo's prior harsh discipline of his girls meets with understanding and forgiveness from the daughters.
The story is simple, quiet, and reminiscent of a pastoral painting with the underlying mystery seemingly no more ominous than storm clouds over the valley. The actors are superb, the pacing is excellent, the cinematography by Gonzalo F. Berridi reveals Cantabria landscapes in a spectacular fashion, and the musical score by Xavier Capellas is wonderfully atmospheric. This is another jewel of a film from Spain and further evidence that Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón is one of Spain's most consistently fine directors. Recommended. In Spanish with English subtitles. Grady Harp
Gildo (Juan Diego) is grumpy and demanding and has two daughters: Val (Marta Etura) who since her mother died has taken over the duties of keeping the house in order as well as doing all the chores to assist her father's dairy production, and Genia (Clara Lago) who as the younger one goes to school and spends her time dancing. Gildo's neighbor Severo (Celso Bugallo) works his cows alone: his only son Rai (Luis Tosar) has left the farm to become a hairdresser in the city. With the EU demands, Severo stands to lose his cows and when Gildo comes to claim his prize milking cow Vanessa, Severo threatens revenge, settling for a payment of the first calf of Vanessa. A year passes and Val takes the new promised calf to Severo, but Severo denies the calf's parentage and in anger ties Val and places her in his barn as prisoner. Gildo traces Val to the place of captivity only to be discovered by Severo while freeing his daughter and a struggle ensues resulting in the death of Severo.
Rai returns to the farm for his father's funeral and meets Val: an attraction is mutual. Gildo and Val disagree on telling the police the truth about the death of Severo and when Gildo's paranoia builds, he sends Val to pacify Rai, little knowing that Val is attracted to Rai. Val and Rai slowly fall in love, tension mounts with the EU and the police, and the truth about the death of Severo is revealed, forcing changes in the family of Gildo and in the relationship of Rai and Val. Gildo's prior harsh discipline of his girls meets with understanding and forgiveness from the daughters.
The story is simple, quiet, and reminiscent of a pastoral painting with the underlying mystery seemingly no more ominous than storm clouds over the valley. The actors are superb, the pacing is excellent, the cinematography by Gonzalo F. Berridi reveals Cantabria landscapes in a spectacular fashion, and the musical score by Xavier Capellas is wonderfully atmospheric. This is another jewel of a film from Spain and further evidence that Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón is one of Spain's most consistently fine directors. Recommended. In Spanish with English subtitles. Grady Harp
Whimsical and serious at the same time.
zabmo27 January 2007
This is a sweet story of family bonds and the lengths these family members will go to in order to protect and defend their own. That is, until suspicions abound and everyone suspects the other of being insincere &/or guilty. The characters are old-fashioned dairy farmers (pasiegos) in a remote area in Spain. It's a well told story with wonderful characters and beautiful scenery. I hadn't heard of these farmers before or of their plight so learning about them was an added bonus of seeing this film.
Even though I really loved this movie, there were some odd moments (one in particular, when the daughters are dancing with their father, was quite inappropriate).
"La vida que te espera" left me feeling that people as a whole are inherently good, and will stand by those that are important to them, not only in regards to the established family ties, but also in regards newly formed bonds.
Even though I really loved this movie, there were some odd moments (one in particular, when the daughters are dancing with their father, was quite inappropriate).
"La vida que te espera" left me feeling that people as a whole are inherently good, and will stand by those that are important to them, not only in regards to the established family ties, but also in regards newly formed bonds.
What was Rai thinking?
MonteViste9 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I must admit to being drawn to foreign films. I only wish I'd seen all of this one last night on GBR (Italian fta channel). As it was I only caught the final hour or so. The cinematography is beautiful and the acting excellent. The direction too is absolutely fine - no problems there, Marta Etura and Clara Lago who play the two sisters Val and Genia are superb.
The story, having just read-up a little on the film, now makes more sense - you know what it's like trying to piece together a film half way through it. The one thing that has left me a little annoyed though is the ending. If Rai knew, from the moment he fell in love with Val, that it had been her all along then why on earth was he so hard on Val's father? Perhaps in order to unravel that particular mystery I will need to see the whole film from the beginning - but where to find a copy in Italy? Hmm...
The story, having just read-up a little on the film, now makes more sense - you know what it's like trying to piece together a film half way through it. The one thing that has left me a little annoyed though is the ending. If Rai knew, from the moment he fell in love with Val, that it had been her all along then why on earth was he so hard on Val's father? Perhaps in order to unravel that particular mystery I will need to see the whole film from the beginning - but where to find a copy in Italy? Hmm...
Beautiful and profound
deanhoxton3 May 2020
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
